by Rabbi Yaakov Bernstein

Chodshei Hashanah Vol. 2, Part 20

This issue is dedicated in honor of the Golden Anniversary of Dr.
and Mrs. Sheldon Bernstein, by Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Bernstein

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Although not mentioned in the verses, Shavuos is a special commemoration.
By tradition, the receiving of the Torah on Mount Sinai and the birth and
death of Dovid Hamelech (King David) occurred at this time.

1.Coercion -- the Internal Struggle

The Talmud and Medrashim relate that, even though the Jews had willingly
accepted Torah, the Torah was nonetheless given by force. "He turned
the mountain over their heads and said: `If you accept the Torah - fine;
if not -- here you will be buried...' " (Shabbos 88a) One of the many
ramifications of this notion is the following: The Talmud tells us that
it is greater to be commanded to do something, than to do it voluntarily.
The reason, Tosafos explains, is that there is a greater challenge -- internal
struggle -- when a person is ordered to act, than if he simply decides
to do so on his own accord. After the receiving of the Torah, this becomes
one of the fundamental differences between the Jewish People and the forefathers.
The forefathers were not obligated to keep the Jewish practices, which
had not yet become law. Because the Jewish People cope with a greater challenge,
they receive greater reward than the forefathers for preserving the Torah.
(See Yismach Moshe)

2.Commitment

Rav Yerucham Lebovitz explained the meaning of the celebration of
the Receiving of the Torah: Everything depends upon the commitment. It
is not enough just to act; if we commit ourselves before we act, our deeds
will be much more powerful, for they will project our commitments, our
faithfulness in fulfilling our commitments.

The commitment itself is a major undertaking. Even if accomplishing
the goal seems very distant -- the making of the commitment is already
considered as if the goal has been accomplished! (See Daas Torah, Bamidbar)

This makes our words last week more palatable. We had discussed how
each person is responsible to know the entire Torah; to most people, this
seems overwhelming. However, if the commitment alone is tantamount to accomplishing
our goal, such a difficult responsibility becomes more operative.

3. Rescripting

It is interesting that Stephen Covey, in The Seven Habits of Highly
Effective People, shows how people are affected by assumptions about themselves
and their lives. Through "rescripting," "paradigm-shifting,"
a person can change his assumptions and attitudes. Covey suggests that
each person compose a "mission statement" that verbally projects
his objectives. Through preparation and revised commitment, success comes
within one's grasp...

4. Preparation

At the Purim story, the Jews accepted the Torah, completely, willingly
and lovingly, for the first time. This truly completed the reception of
the Torah. (Shabbos 88a) Rav Lebovitz asked, what was so special about
the generation of Mordechai, that only in their time was the reception
of the Torah complete?

Preparation is essential to performance. The successful reception
of the generation was not due to the greatness of the generation, but due
to the fact that they had had more time. The generation of the desert were
rushed, hurried. The Exodus happened spontaneously; the fifty days of preparation
for Mount Sinai was not satisfactory. So often, our preparation determines
the results of our endeavors; Mordechai's generation was prepared. (See
Daas Torah, Bamidbar)

Ramban, in the beginning of his commentary to the Torah, discusses
how the entire universe began as one tiny point. (Scientists identify this
idea with the Big Bang theory.) Rav Lebovitz shows how this statement of
Ramban connects with the human psyche. Just as all the matter in the universe
first appeared as a point, before taking definite, orderly shape, so too,
human endeavor should initiate with carefully identified reasoning. Insuing
events will naturally take shape, following such preparation.

5. Dovid and the Internal Battle

In Divre Hayamim (Chronicles 1:22:5), the story is related that Dovid
Hamelech (King David) had sought to construct the Beis Hamikdash (Temple),
but was denied permission. Dovid was a man of war, while Shlomo (King Solomon)
was a man of peace. Only during a reign of peace, would the Beis Hamikdash
be built. The true battle is an internal one. Dovid was a warrior, as everyone
knows. The war he fought, though, was primarily internal. In this way,
the entire story of Dovid Hamelech fits into perspective. Dovid's story
is one of ups and downs; few characters of Tanach experience as much hardship
and tribulation as Dovid. The only one that comes to mind is Eyuv (Job).
However, while Eyuv complains, Dovid sings. The Book of T'hilim (Psalms),
Dovid's immortal work, became central to the prayers of Judaism (as well
as religious movements of the nations). Whether "up" or "down,"
Dovid continued to pray, to sing praises to the One in Control.

There is no blame indicated in the verses in Divre Hayamim (Chronicles).
There is only Dovid's realization of differing roles. The war must precede
peace. Dovid fights the battles -- the internal battles. Only after the
victory -- the internal victory -- can peace appear. (Tzidkas Hatzadik,
see Commentary to Book of Job by Rav Moshe Eisemann; Ima shel Malchus (Mother
of Royalty), by Rav Yehudah Bachrach)